Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge

The Modern Mrs. Darcy challenge is based upon the idea that reading isn't "a competitive sport". It values the quality of the books read rather than the quantity. As such, it's a bit more short and sweet. It embraces the idea that reading is personal and that a "reading list should reflect that".

The challenge list changes annually. I have participated since 2017. I completed the 2019 challenge!

As with any of the other challenges, each book can be used only once in this challenge. However, books can be used in multiple challenges.


Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge 2020 0 / 10

1. A book published in the decade you were born.

2. A debut novel.

3. A book recommended by a source you trust.          The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

4. A book by a local author.

5. A book outside your (genre) comfort zone.

6. A book in translation.

7. A book nominated for an award in 2020.

8. A reread.

9. A classic you didn't read in school.

10. Three books by the same author.

 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge 2019 - COMPLETE 10 / 10

1. A book you've been meaning to read.     Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

2. A book about a topic that fascinates you.     Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

3. A book in the backlist of a favorite author.     Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

4. A book recommended by someone with great taste.     The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

5. Three books by the same author. The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, and The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

6. A book you chose for the cover.     Not So Long Ago, Not So Far Away by Trisha Slay

7. A book by an author who is new to you.     Only Ever Her by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

8. A book in translation.     The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia

9. A book outside your (genre) comfort zone.     Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

10. A book published before you were born.     The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge 2018 10 / 12

1. A classic you've been meaning to read. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

2. A book recommended by someone with great taste. Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory

3. A book in translation. Beartown by Fredrick Bachman

4. A book nominated for an award in 2018. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng 

5. A book of poetry, a play, or an essay collection. Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

6. A book you can read in a day. Caraval by Stephanie Garber

7. A book that's more than 500 pages. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

8. A book by a favorite author. Paper Towns by John Green

9. A book recommended by a librarian or indie bookseller.

10. A banned book. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

11. A memoir, biography, or book of creative nonfiction.

12. A book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge 2017 16 / 24

Reading for Fun: Putting the Oomph Back in Your Reading Life

1. A book you chose for the cover. Snow Flower & the Secret Fan by Lisa See

2. A book with a reputation for being un-put-down-able. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

3. A book set somewhere you've never been, but would like to visit. A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay

4. A book you've already read. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

5. A juicy memoir.

6. A book about books or reading. The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

7. A book in a genre you usually avoid. Slade House by David Mitchell

8. A book you don't want to admit you're dying to read.

9. A book in the backlist of a new favorite author.

10. A book recommended by someone with great taste. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

11. A book you were excited to buy or borrow but haven't read yet. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

12. A book about a topic or subject you already love.


Reading for Growth: Stretch Yourself in 2017

1. A Newberry Award winner or Honor book.

2. A book in translation. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

3. A book that's more than 600 pages. What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff

4. A book of poetry, a play, or an essay collection.

5. A book of any genre that addresses current events. Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

6. An immigrant story. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

7. A book published before you were born.

8. Three books by the same author. The Paper Magician trilogy by Charlie N. Holmberg

9. A book by an #ownvoices or #diversebooks author. The Lauras by Sara Taylor

10. A book with an unreliable narrator or ambiguous ending. Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko

11. A book nominated for an award in 2017. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

12. A Pulitzer Prize or National Book Award winner.